A new California Supreme Court decision has strengthened the distinctions between independent contractor and employee, meaning the vast majority of salons will no longer be able to claim independent contractor status for their workers.

Following a New York Times exposé on potential labor and health dangers in nail salons, stakeholders — including local governments, salon owners, and product manufacturers — began forcefully airing concerns on salon ventilation. Increased regulation and enforcement may be the new normal.

NAILS Magazine and VietSALON Magazine applaud the New York Times exposé of the appalling exploitation of nail salon workers in certain communities and urge increased consumer awareness and enforcement efforts.